Magister Philosophiae - MPhil (Earth Science)
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Item Geochemical and petrographic evidence for the Vredefort proximal impact ejecta in the Northern Cape, South Africa(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Mautle, Floyd Danger; Huber, MatthewThe advancement of the understanding of hypervelocity impacts lies in discovering impact structures and both proximal and distal impact ejecta. This study uses petrographic and geochemical techniques to investigate the occurrence of Vredefort proximal impact ejecta in the Paleoproterozoic Maremane Dome, South Africa. Anomalous spherical objects ca. 15 mm in apparent diameter have been observed near the top of the Doornfontein Conglomerate Member in the Maremane Dome, South Africa. The objects were previously described as pisolites formed by laterization.Item Exploring opportunities for job creation through waste value chain: Removal of alien invasive plants, Western Cape, South Africa(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Twetwa, Siyavuya; Kanyerere, ThokozaniAlien invasive plants are often end up in landfills after they are removed, where they form part of organic waste. Wood contractors can utilise this organic waste as a source of informal employment, which is also a waste reduction method. The aim of this study was to explore opportunities for job creation through the removal of alien invasive plants, as the basis for developing a business structure that addresses unemployment. First, the impact of alien invasive plants on the environment and water resources was explored. Then, the impact of removed alien invasive plants on the socioeconomic status of people was assessed.Item Spatial distribution and abundance of microplastics particles in the bed sediment of Zeekoevlei Lake, Cape Town(University of Western Cape, 2021) Kennedy, Kyle; Grenfell, Michael CMicroplastics (MPs) are an emerging micro-pollutant that pose a threat to the ecological integrity of freshwater rivers and wetlands. Most previous work on MPs pollution has focused on marine environments. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and abundance of MPs particles in the bed sediment of a freshwater coastal lake in the Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve, Cape Town, which is fed by rivers and stormwater outlets draining a heavily urbanized environment. The first objective was to characterize the spatial distribution of MPs across the lakebed environment, in relation to possible point and non-point sources of contamination.Item The use of well log data in the creation of 3D geological maps(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Ile, Charlene Omeniem Keletso; Opuwari, MThree-dimensional (3D) graphic representations of geographic environments have become commonplace in a range of elds. These representations are often an attempt to represent both geographic forms, as well as the relationships that exist between them. In contrast to other elds, the use of 3D geological models in the visualisation of the subsurface environment is relatively new. Additionally, these 3D geological models are traditionally created through the painstaking process of manual development methods. As such, the models developed are unable to fully utilise the wealth of geological data that is collected during subsurface exploration. Therefore, the objective of this research was to create a 3D geological prototype that allowed for the visualisation of underground resource reservoirs in a faster, easier and more aesthetically appealing manner. To achieve the objectives of this research, the problem was tackled holistically by considering both the theoretical and practical components of the research. Some theoretical components that were considered are: well log wireline log data composition, the information that can be extracted from each well log component, geological data interpolation as well as geological visualisation. Utilisation of the theoretical component of this research facilitated the development of a programme that modelled and visualised sub-surface environments. The programme applied the information from numerous well log datasets and interpolated the various geological layers that could be found within a region.Item Using water law enforcement to demonstrate the effectiveness of regulations for the protection of water resources(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Smith, Farrel; Kanyerere, Thokozani; Pietersen, KevinThe South African National Water Act attracted attention of the international water community as one of the most reformist pieces of water legislation in the world, and a major step forward in the transformation of the concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) into legislation. However, 20 years later after the National Water Act was promulgated, implementation of the same act has been partially successful. In many aspects, the, implementation has been weak. The argument is that the water law enforcement is not been implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of regulations for the protection of water resources.Item Gender and perceptions of science and science education: a case study in Mitchells Plain(2012) Gasant, Mogamad Waheeb; Shefer, TamaraThe literature on the manner in which gender influences the participation and performance of girls and boys in science and science education indicates that the disparity between the genders, in favour of boys, persists. This has negatively affected the participation rates of women in tertiary science education and the science workplace. Gender inequality, an outcome of socio-cultural relations, is regarded as being at the root of this disparity. Science is regarded as a male domain; a feminist analysis has viewed the position of women in science as emanating from a history of the oppression of women in male-dominated society. Through socialisation and cultural practices, society encourages the development of binaristic, gendered norms and roles: a fertile environment for the perpetuation of the gender role stereotypes portraying boys as more science-orientated than girls. Schools are regarded as prime sites for the perpetuation of gender inequalities. The sociocultural perceptions that educators and learners alike bring into science classrooms influence their thinking about gender in science and science education. The interactive social milieu of the classroom is viewed as the crucible where attitudes to, beliefs in and perceptions of the role of gender in science are shaped. In addition, the media functions as a socio-cultural agent, both in its popular form and as a source of resource material for science teaching. The masculine image of science and scientists it persistently promotes influences girls’ and boys’ attitudes to, beliefs in and perceptions of science and science education. The study examines gender and the perceptions of science and science education of boy and girl learners in the General Education and Training (GET) phase of education i.e. Grades 7 to 9. The research methodology comprised both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative study entailed conducting a survey of six hundred Grades 7, 8 and 9 boy and girl learners in an English medium school. A small sample of 26 learners was randomly selected from each of the Grades 7, 8 and 9 for semi-structured, in-depth, individual interviews. Age, grade and gender were the selection criteria. All participant schools are situated in an educational district in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa: the majority of residents in the suburb are from the lower middle class and were classified Coloured according to the Apartheid racial classification. The educators administering the qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were also drawn from this group. The findings confirmed that gender role stereotypes persist in science and science education. Girls are drawn to affective science pursuits whereas boys are firmly rooted to stereotypical perceptions of the masculine image of science and science careers. It is apparent that girls are challenging sex-role stereotypes in science and agitating for gender equity in science education and science careers.Item Prospects for the reform of District Municipalities: the scope for manoeuvre(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Joseph, Abdul Wahid; Steytler, NicoItem Emerging farmers in water user associations cases from the Breede Water Management area(University of the Western Cape, 2008) Saruchera, Davison; Jonker, Lewis; Faculty of ScienceThe aim of the study is to understand the level of co-operation between emerging and commercial farmers in a Water User Associations. The effort is expected to inform policy and improve practice in the building of new water institutions as government strives to implement IWRM.Item Optimisation of selective extraction techniques as a tool for geochemical mapping in the Southern Africa region(University of the Western Cape, 2008) Akinyemi, Segun Ajayi; Okujeni, Charles; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of ScienceThe complex nature and composition of regolith cover in Southern Africa is a major challenge to geochemical mapping for concealed mineralization. Some of the setbacks to successful geochemical exploration may be ascribed to the use of various partial extraction techniques,without a profound understanding of the regolith components and their composition. This investigation therefore focuses on the use of hydroxylamine partial extraction geochemistry for geochemical mapping in regolith over two contrasting environments viz; aeolian sand-calcrete regolith over Au mineralization at Amalia Blue Dot Mine in South Africa and lateritic regolith covering the Ni-Cu deposit at Kabanga Main and Luhuma in Tanzania. Regolith samples from the above areas were sieved and extracted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution and analyzed for multi-element by AAS and ICP-MS techniques. A stepwise optimization of the hydroxylamine extraction technique of samples from both areas was carried out and incorporated into the analytical programme (in a pilot study). Results of hydroxylamine partial extraction generally gave better anomaly contrast and reflection of bedrock mineralization than the conventional aqua regia techniques that were previously used in the region. The results however show that lateritic regolith may be best extracted using 0.25M hydroxylamine while 0.1M concentration appears most suitable for extraction of aeolian-calcrete regolith. The above results are corroborated by principal component analysis of the analytical data that show various element associations, e.g. with Fe-Mn oxides while others possibly belong to the loosely adsorbed or exchangeable group. The gochemical maps in the pilot study areas at Amalia, Kabanga and Luhuma show elevated element contents or clusters of anomalies of diverse elements associated with Fe-Mn oxides. Geochemical mapping at Kabanga with deeply concealed mineralization however shows variability of subdued element patterns over mineralized areas. Geochemical signatures associated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride partial leach are therefore characterized by a lower geochemical background than that using conventional aqua regia leach. This study leads recommending for further investigations into partial extraction of the exchangeable group of elements, possibly using ammonium acetate.Item Empowered women in water management(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Zonde, Memory; Jonker, Lewis; Abrahams, Yvette; Faculty of ScienceFollowing South Africa's independence from apartheid rule, there has been progressive developments in policies that promote equity in all spheres including the water sector. Equality in the water sector is not only limited to water access, but also management of the water. This study investigated the factors that empower women in the water sector as an example of gender equity.Item Realizing agricultural potential in land reform: The case of Vaalharts irrigation scheme in the Northern Cape Province(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Maisela, Ramatsimele Jacqueline; Lahiff, Edward; Faculty of Economics and Management SciencesThe effectiveness of the South African Land reform Programme has been at the centre of debates amonng land reform activists and within government. Empirical evidence shows that land reform has not only been moving at a slow pace, but has also had limited impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries, due to the fact that many land reform farms have operated at a very low level since being transferred to their new owners. This study looks at performance of land reform in South Africa, using the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme in the Nothern Cape as an example.Item Stakeholder participation in the establishment of the Berg Catchment Management Agency, South Africa(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Gueze, Humberto; Jonker, Lewis; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of ScienceEnacted in 1998, the New South African Water Act has introduced a new approach to water resource management, founded on the principle of decentralization of the management of water resources to regional and local levels and the public participation. The approach has been captured in the new National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), which allows the establishment of Catchment Management Agencies. The overall purpose of this study was to understand the trends of public participation in the establishment of Catchment Management Agencies in South Africa, by presenting the case of the Berg Catchment Management Agency.Item Pre-paid water metering: social experiences and lessons learned from Klipheuwel pilot project, South Africa(University of the Western Cape, 2006) Kumwenda, Moses; Jonker, L; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of ScienceThis thesis examined a pre-paid water metering pilot project which was implemented in Klipheuwel , Cape Town, South Africa in 2001. It was anticipated that the implementation of pre-paid water meters would help improve the management of water service delivery in the Cape Metropolitan Area. However, just four years after its implementation the project has collapsed.Item Water quality trends in the Eerste River, Western Cape, 1990 - 2005(University of the Western Cape, 2006) Ngwenya, Faith; Jonker, Lewis; Raitt, Lincoln; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of ScienceThe Eerste River is a river system which has, over the years, been subjected to human interference. The purpose of this study was to investigatge temporal and spatial trends in the water quality of the Eerste River between 1990 and 2005. The study results revealed that the major trends in the water quality of the Eerste River are more spatial than temporal.Item A comparison of SAAS and chemical monitoring of the rivers of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Rajele, Molefi Joseph; Okujeni, Charles; Jonker, Lewis; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of ScienceThe Lesotho Highlands Development Authority routinely uses the South African Scoring System version 4 (SASS4) in conjunction with water chemistry to monitor water quality of rivers in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project areas. The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of SASS4 in these areas.